Today, I’d like to introduce a brand that we have newly started carrying. It is a relatively new brand that launched in Sweden in 2020.
An eco-friendly and sustainable handlebar tape
"Should bar tape used by nature-loving cyclists be made of disposable plastic?"
As bike enthusiasts, we carefully select every single part to assemble a bike that meets our needs and showcases our personality, putting our heart and soul into the build. Surely, the same should apply to our handlebar tape.
I think we have all replaced tape that was once wrapped, whether because it got frayed or because the feel wasn't to our liking.
The brand I’m introducing today, GREPP, began developing a reusable product out of frustration with this status quo of disposable handlebar tape. Their goal is very simple: "To create a handlebar tape that is as eco-friendly and sustainable as the bicycle itself."
Gripper Handlebar Tape
That is how the Gripper Handlebar Tape by GREPP was born. It is a re-wrappable bar tape created to combat the culture of disposability.
The surface that touches your hands is made of TENCEL™ Modal, a plant-based synthetic fiber derived from hardwood trees. It is extracted from sustainably grown beech wood using an environmentally friendly process—one that is 100% energy self-sufficient and recovers byproducts from the wood components. The result is a fully biodegradable and compostable fabric that is highly durable and remains twice as soft as cotton, even after repeated washing.
Additionally, natural rubber threads are integrated into the weaving process on the reverse side, acting as an anti-slip feature. This allows you to wash and re-wrap the tape onto your handlebars repeatedly.
3m per roll, compatible with wide handlebars
At 1.6mm thick, it’s thinner than most handlebar tapes on the market. However, compared to standard cotton tape, it’s softer, and its unique texture—which you can feel in its durability and tactile quality—makes this tape truly one-of-a-kind.
With a width of 27mm and a length of 3m per roll, it is compatible with today's wider handlebars. You can adjust the thickness to your preference by changing the amount of overlap when wrapping, or add a base layer of cushioning tape or pads if you desire extra comfort.
Its look fits perfectly on steel bikes, especially those with a classic style, but it’s also easy to pair with a wide range of bikes regardless of material. Since it accommodates wider handlebars, I highly recommend it as a new option for gravel bikes as well.
It offers a nice grip, feels great to the touch, and by washing and re-wrapping it periodically, you’ll no longer need to buy new bar tape. While it certainly isn't the most inexpensive bar tape out there, when you consider that it can be used over and over again, it is a tape that is both eco-friendly and easy on your wallet.
GREPP Gripper Handlebar Tape
Material: 86% TENCEL™ Modal,
13% Elastodiene (interior),
1% Recycled Polyester
Width: 27 mm
Thickness: 1.6 mm
Includes: 2x bar ends
Woven in Sweden
Price: 5,830 JPY (tax included)
